Drive-Through Systems for Optimizing Time, Space and Service of Drive-Through Operations of a Quick-Service Restaurant and Methods of Using the Same

ABSTRACT

Quick service restaurants with car wash systems and traffic management systems for managing customer traffic and routing customers who have made food-only purchases and customers who have purchased both a food item and a carwash service. In some examples, graphical user interfaces incorporated in point of sale systems display time predictions for the delivery of food items and carwash services to aid and encourage customer selection of both food items and carwash services.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/948,958, filed Oct. 7, 2020, and titled “System for Managing anIntegrated Drive-Through Restaurant and Carwash Facility ProvidingEstimated Wait Times via a Graphical User Interface,” which applicationclaims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/911,546, filed Oct. 7, 2019, and titled “Drive-Thru Systemsfor Optimizing Time, Space and Service of Drive-Thru Operations of aQuick-Service Restaurant and Methods of Using the Same,” each of whichis incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of quick-servicerestaurants. In particular, drive-through systems for optimizing time,space and service of drive-through operations of quick-servicerestaurants and methods of using the same.

BACKGROUND

Quick service restaurant (QSR) establishments are designed to offer analternative to home cooking and fine dining at restaurants. QSRs havelimited menus and rarely provide table service by a waitstaff at adiner's table. The four core service elements of a QSR are convenience,affordability, predictability and speed. The element of speed wasexponentially expanded when customers could order and receive their menuselections without ever leaving their cars and could select, order andpick up their food items in the drive-through lane of a QSR. Today, thegreatest portion of a QSR business comes from its drive-through lane andQSRs have become commonly known as fast-food restaurants. The speed ofservice measured between the moment cars enter the drive-through laneand the moment they exit, (referred to herein in some examples andfigures as the Origin-Destination Vector or O-D Vector) became the majorplatform on which QSR brands competed with each other.

The three core business elements of a QSR are profitability, volume andcustomer satisfaction. A typical QSR runs on thin profit margins;therefore, to be profitable high volume sales are needed, which arelargely driven by repeat customers. Customer satisfaction is thus ofutmost importance. Today, customers judge QSR brands based on theiroverall experience, no longer just speed. Finding a formula that squaresall the four core elements of service with the three core businesselements in a satisfactory manner and for all stakeholders has proven tobe elusive. Customers are increasingly feeling entitled tobetter-quality food and thus have added a fifth element for QSRs tomeet—customer satisfaction. In addition, this demand for higher-qualityfood has put pressure on the profitability of QSR establishments. Thisin turn resulted in ever-changing, more unpredictable menu items as QSRsare continuing to seek a balance between profitability for themselvesand affordability for their customers. At the same time, higher-qualityfood items often require longer preparation times resulting in increasedwait times for customers, including drive-through wait times which hasnegatively impacted the perception of convenience, the core attractionof a QSR.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one implementation, the present disclosure is directed to a quickservice restaurant (QSR). The QSR includes a building, a point of sale(POS) apparatus, a pickup window, and a drive through for routingcustomer vehicles from the POS apparatus to the pickup window; and acarwash system that includes at least one automatic carwash apparatus;wherein the drive through includes an optional carwash portion thatroutes at least a portion of the customer vehicles to the automaticcarwash apparatus to provide an optional carwash service to the customervehicles while the customer vehicles are in the drive through and enroute to the pickup window; wherein the POS apparatus includes agraphical user interface (GUI) that displays a plurality of QSR menuitems, a plurality of carwash menu items, and at least one timeprediction display portion, wherein the at least one time predictiondisplay portion displays a predicted impact on a drive through wait timedue to the addition of one of the carwash menu items to a selection ofone or more of the QSR menu items.

In another implementation, the present disclosure is directed to amethod of providing a quick service restaurant (QSR) food item and acarwash service at a facility that includes a drive through. The methodincludes displaying, on a point of sale (POS) graphical user interface(GUI), a plurality of QSR menu items and a plurality of carwash menuitems; in response to a customer selection of one of the carwash menuitems and one of the QSR menu items, directing a customer vehicle to anautomatic carwash apparatus for receipt of a carwash service and uponcompletion of the carwash service, directing the customer vehicle to apickup window for receipt of the QSR menu item; and in response to acustomer selection of only one or more of the QSR menu items, directinga customer vehicle to bypass the automatic carwash apparatus and godirectly to the pickup window.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustrating the disclosure, the drawings showaspects of one or more embodiments of the disclosure. However, it shouldbe understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the precisearrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of one example of a system thatincludes a quick service restaurant (QSR) and a car wash (CW) system;

FIG. 2 is flow chart for one example method of using a system thatincludes both QSR and CW components;

FIG. 3 is flow chart of another example method of using a system thatincludes both QSR and CW components;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an example facility that includes a QSR and a CWsystem;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example graphical user interface (GUI) thatdisplays a plurality of QSR menu items and time duration informationrepresenting a predicted duration of time to receive the QSR menu items;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example graphical user interface (GUI) thatdisplays a plurality of QSR menu items, a plurality of CW menu items,and time duration information representing a predicted duration of timeto receive the QSR menu items and a predicted duration of time toreceive both QSR menu items and CW menu items;

FIG. 7A illustrates an example graphical user interface (GUI) thatdisplays QSR menu items, CW menu items, equal time indicators andadditional time indicators;

FIG. 7B illustrates an example graphical user interface (GUI) thatdisplays QSR menu items, CW menu items, time duration information, andCW service recommendation that will not add to the customer's total waittime;

FIG. 7C illustrates an example graphical user interface (GUI) thatincludes a desired time portion that allows a user to specify themaximum amount of time he or she is willing to wait for a food order;

FIG. 7D illustrates an example graphical user interface (GUI) thatincludes a desired time portion that allows a user to specify themaximum amount of time he or she is willing to wait for a food order andrecommended QSR menu options that can be delivered within the desiredtime;

FIG. 7E illustrates an example graphical user interface (GUI) thatincludes a desired time portion and displays predicted time durationsfor QSR menu items for a plurality of QSR establishments;

FIG. 8 is a diagram of an example facility that includes a QSR and a CWsystem that includes an automatic in bay carwash apparatus (IBW);

FIG. 9 is a diagram of an example facility that includes a QSR and a CWsystem that includes a plurality of MWs;

FIG. 10 is a diagram of another example facility that includes a QSR, aCW system, and a traffic management system;

FIG. 11 is a diagram of an example facility that includes a QSR and a CWsystem that includes a tunnel carwash;

FIG. 12 is a diagram of another example facility that includes a QSR anda CW system that includes a tunnel carwash;

FIG. 13A is a diagram of an example facility that includes a QSR and aCW system that includes a plurality of automatic carwash apparatuses;

FIG. 13B is a perspective view of one example of a transportable modularCW apparatus;

FIG. 13C includes additional view of the transportable modular CWapparatus of FIG. 13B;

FIG. 14 is a diagram of an example facility that includes a QSR, a CWsystem, and a traffic management system that includes conveyor belts;

FIG. 15A is a diagram of an example facility that includes a QSR and aCW system that includes a plurality of mobile carwash pods;

FIG. 15B is a diagram of another example facility that includes a QSRand a CW system that includes a plurality of mobile carwash pods;

FIG. 16 is a diagram of an example facility that includes a QSR and a CWsystem that extends through an interior of the facility;

FIG. 17 is a diagram of another example facility that includes a QSR anda CW system that extends through an interior of the facility;

FIG. 18 is a diagram of an example facility that includes a QSR, a CWsystem that extends through an interior of the facility, and a QSR onlydrive though lane that also extends through an interior of the facility;

FIG. 19 is a diagram of an example facility that includes a QSR and anunderground CW system;

FIG. 20 is a diagram of an example facility that includes a QSR, aplurality of CW modules and a plurality of drive through lanes;

FIG. 21 is a diagram of an example facility that includes a QSR, a CWsystem and separate dedicated drive through lanes;

FIG. 22 is a diagram of an example facility that includes a QSR, a CWsystem that includes a tunnel carwash where all drive through trafficincluding customers that did not order a car wash is routed through thecarwash tunnel;

FIG. 23 is a diagram of an example facility that includes a QSR, a CWsystem and a drive through with off ramps;

FIG. 24 is a diagram of an example facility that includes a QSR, aplurality of CW modules and a plurality of drive through lanes;

FIG. 25 is a diagram of another example facility that includes a QSR, aplurality of CW modules and a plurality of drive through lanes and alsoincludes an automatic vehicle carwash diagnostic (AVCD) system;

FIG. 26A is another illustration of the AVCD system of FIG. 25 ;

FIG. 26B is another illustration of the AVCD system of FIGS. 25 and 26A;

FIG. 27 illustrates an example GUI for communicating the progress of adiagnostic analysis being performed by an AVCD;

FIG. 28 illustrates an example GUI for communicating the results of adiagnostic analysis performed by an AVCD; and

FIG. 29 is a functional block diagram of an example computing system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present disclosure include methods for utilizing the waittime and space of a brick-and-mortar QSR to incorporate car wash (CW)services to the presentation of options to a customer at a drive throughQSR establishment. In some examples, a wait time includes, but is notlimited to, the time period between ordering a product at a point ofsale (POS) terminal, device, or application, and receiving the productat a pick-up window (PUW). Systems of the present disclosure includesystems for the control of drive-through operations of a QSRestablishment that, in some examples, also includes a CW service, insome examples, a CW system is configured to wash a vehicle within thewait time for a food order and in the available space of a QSR, forexample a drive-through lane of a QSR. In some examples, trafficmanagement and routing systems at the QSR facility facilitate routing ofcustomer vehicles in a variety of manners including separating customersthat have elected to order only food from customers that have orderedfood and a carwash, and facilitating the flow of customer vehicles,including the efficient flow of a plurality of customer vehicles thathave chosen a car wash to ensure each customer's carwash is complete andeach customer has received his or her food order in a minimum amount oftime, and in some examples, in the same amount of time as if thecustomer had not obtained a carwash. In some examples, systems,apparatuses and methods are provided for optimizing the prime realestate and customer experiences of QSR establishment.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an example system 100 made inaccordance with the present disclosure that includes both a QSR 102 anda CW system 104 and that is designed and configured to efficientlyprovide both food and carwash services in an efficient manner and withan efficient use of commercial real-estate space to thereby provide acombination of services that are superior to prior art QSR and CWsystems. In the illustrated example, system 100 includes a POS 106 thatmay include a user interface 108 for displaying a plurality of optionsto a customer including QSR food options, CW options, and combinationsthereof, and receiving customer order information. System 100 may alsoinclude a traffic management system 110 for managing vehicle traffic. Insome examples, system 100 may be configured to communicate with one ormore user devices 112, for example to provide functions similar to POS106, such as to display QSR and CW options and receive customer ordersvia a user interface 114. Implementations include receipt of customerorders via user device 112 through the execution of a POS mobileapplication 116 stored on and executed by the user device, and/or via aweb application executed by the user device 112. System 100 may alsoinclude at least one server device 118 which may be a computing deviceconfigured to provide one or more control functions for any of thecomponents of system 100. In some examples, server device 118 includes aQSR-CW integration module 120 which may include instructions forreceiving data and providing instructions to other components of system100 for coordinating the efficient provision of food and carwashservices. Server device 118 may also include a time prediction and timemanagement module 122 with instructions for receiving data, such as realtime data from QSR 102, carwash system 104, and traffic managementsystem 110, as well as historical data 124 stored in a database 126 fordynamically determining an estimated amount of time it will take QSR 102to prepare one or more food items, an estimated amount of time it willtake carwash system 104 to perform a carwash service, and displayingtime predictions to a customer, for example via user interface 108 ofPOS 106 and/or user interface 114 of user device 112.

The components of system 100 may be configured to communicate with othercomponents of the system via a network 130 which may have anyconfiguration and topology known in the art. For example, network 130can include direct device to device communication as well as anysuitable public and/or private communications network such as a privatelocal area network (LAN) operatively coupled to a wide area network(WAN), such as the Internet. In some cases, network 130 may include oneor more second-generation (2G), third-generation (3G), and/orfourth-generation (4G) mobile communication technologies. In some cases,network 130 may include a wireless local area network (WLAN) (e.g.,Wi-Fi wireless data communication technologies). In some instances,network 130 may include Bluetooth wireless data communicationtechnologies. In some cases, network 130 may include supportinginfrastructure and/or functionalities, such as a server and a serviceprovider. The components of system 100 may include communication modulesfor wired and wireless communication and be configured for communicationwith other components, for example through across network 130, utilizingany wired and/or wireless communications protocols known in the art,including, for example, a Wi-Fi protocol, a Bluetooth protocol, RFIDtechnology and protocols, near field communication (NFC) technology andprotocols, and/or a ZigBee protocol, etc.

POS 106 may have a variety of configurations known in the art of POSsystems and in one implementation may be a computing device locatedproximate the entrance of a drive through lane and user interface 108may include a graphical display for displaying QSR menu items and CWmenu items. In some examples, POS 106 may receive real-time data fromother components of system 100 and be configured to display timeinformation associated with various menu items. In some examples, POS106 may be configured to display or otherwise identify one or more CWservices that can be received without delaying the time to receive afood item, and/or display an additional amount of time to receive a CWservice relative to the amount of time it would take to just receive agiven food item without the CW service. Similarly, POS 106 may beconfigured to display or otherwise identify one or more food items thatcan be received without delaying the time to complete a CW serviceand/or display an additional amount of time to receive a CW servicerelative to the amount of time it would take to just receive a givenfood item.

In some examples, substantially the same user selections andfunctionality provided by POS 106 may be provided via user device 112.For example, a user may make a series of selections via user interface114 while en-route to the QSR 102 and CW system 104, where userinterface 114 may include a display of user control elements andinformation associated with QSR 102 and CW system 104, such as QSR andCW menu items and time information to assist a user in his or herselection of items. User device 112 may be configured to display POSmenu items via a web browser and/or via a mobile app downloaded to theuser device as is known in the art. User device 112 may be any type ofcomputing device known in the art, such as a mobile phone, tablet,laptop, smartwatch, etc. User interface 108 and user interface 112 mayhave any feature of user interfaces known in the art, including adisplay screen for providing a graphical user interface including atouch and pressure-sensitive display for displaying graphical usercontrol elements, receiving user control inputs and measuring a pressureof a user's touch on the display, and one or more hard control elements,such as buttons, switches, dials, etc. for receiving user controls.

In some examples, after making a selection via a user device 112 whileen-route to a QSR 102, a user may provide an arrival indication tosystem 100 when the user has arrived at the drive through lane so thatthe user's food items can be prepared by the QSR 102 and, if applicable,traffic management system 110 can route the user to CW system 104 andotherwise track a status of the user as his or her vehicle progressesthrough a drive through lane. System 100 may be configured to receive anarrival signal that the customer has arrived at the drive though in anyof a variety of ways. For example, by receiving a user selection viauser interface 114, such as a user selection of an “I'm here!” usercontrol element displayed on a touch screen display of user interface114. In other examples, after completing an order, the user may receivea unique machine readable symbol, such as a QR code or bar code that isassociated with the user's order that the user may display at POS 106when he arrives. For example, a user may be instructed to hold his phoneup to a camera of the POS 106 so a QR code displayed on user interface114 of user device 112 can be imaged and read by the POS. In yet otherexamples, the customer may provide a license plate number and a vehicleidentification sensor (one of vehicle sensors 134) located at a drivethough entrance may be configured to capture images of vehicle licenseplates, process the images with a machine vision algorithm and recognizewhen a vehicle with the user-provided license plate number has arrived.

Traffic management system 110 may be configured to route car trafficthrough one or more drive through lanes and provide real-time data toother components of system 100, such as data on a current location ofvehicles in the drive though lanes. In one example, traffic managementsystem includes moveable gates 132, vehicle sensors 134, and directionalsignals 136 which may be controlled by one or more computing devicesoperably coupled to traffic management system 110. In one example, oneor more of gates 132 and directional signals 136 are configured toinstruct vehicles to move or stop and to direct vehicles to one or moredrive through lanes. Vehicle sensors 134 may be located at a pluralityof locations throughout a drive though lane and be configured to detectthe presence of a vehicle at a particular location. Vehicle sensors 134may include any of a variety of sensor types known in the art, includingany type of proximity or presence sensor such as one or more of lightsensors, acoustic sensors, photo-resistor and temperature sensors,proximity and infrared (IR) transceivers, ultrasonic and infrareddistance sensors, laser range sensors, encoders, stereo cameras, andpressure sensors for detecting the presence of a vehicle. Vehiclesensors 134 may also include identification sensors for determiningidentification information for a particular vehicle or customerassociated with the vehicle. In some examples, a vehicle identificationsensor may be located at the entrance of a drive though lane forchecking each vehicle for identification information and comparingdetected information to customer data 138 stored in database 126, forexample, for identifying user preferences and modifying a display ofitems on POS 106. In some examples, customers may be provided with aunique identification number that can be detected by vehicle sensors 134as the vehicle progresses through a drive though lane. Any of a varietyof techniques may be used to facilitate user ID tracking as the userprogresses through a drive through lane. For example, user device 112may be configured to continuously transmit a unique identificationnumber via a wireless communication protocol, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth,RFID, NFC, or ZigBee, etc. while the user progresses through a drivethrough lane and vehicle sensors 134 located along the drive throughlane may be configured to detect the unique customer signals andtransmit the detected signals to, e.g., server device 118 for tracking astatus of customers in the drive through lane. In other examples,customers may be given disposable RFID or NFC tags when they are at POS106 that include a securing element for temporarily securing the tag tothe vehicle, such as by a clip, magnet, or adhesive.

CW system 104 may include one or more CW modules 140 configured to washone or more cars. CW module(s) 140 may be permanently or temporarilyinstalled, may be configured to connect to local utilities, such aselectrical, water, and sewer, or may be self-supporting for one or moreof electrical, water, and sewer. CW modules 140 may include any type ofCW system known in the art, such as in-bay, tunnel, contact, and/ortouchless carwash system. In some implementations, CW modules 140 mayinclude one or more mobile CW modules configured to move along a drivethrough lane of a QSR and/or configured to be transported to and fromQSR locations. In some implementations, CW modules 140 includetransportable standalone systems that can be quickly and easilyinstalled at a QSR and operate without requiring hookup to one or moreutilities typically needed by a CW system, such as water supply,electrical supply, and/or water disposal. CW system 104 may beconfigured to transmit status information to other components of system100, including server device 118 for providing status information, suchas whether each CW module 140 is idle, loading a new vehicle, car washin progress, or unloading a vehicle and details on a wash cycle beingperformed, such as type of wash, percent complete, and time remaining.

QSR 102 may be any type of QSR known in the art and in the illustratedexample includes a kitchen management system 142 configured to receiveorders from POS 106 and/or user device 112 and track the status ofpreparation of each order via inputs from QSR staff. QSR 102 alsoincludes an inventory management system 144 that is operably coupled tokitchen management system 142 and provides a current status of inventoryfor each ingredient of each QSR menu item. QSR 102 may also include anyother component typically found at a QSR, such as any type of kitchenequipment for storing and cooking food, including ovens, fryers, prepstations, refrigerators and freezers, etc. (not illustrated).

Server device 118 may be configured to send and receive data from one ormore components of system 100 and provide control signals to one or morecomponents of the system. For example, time prediction and timemanagement module 122 may be configured to calculate a time duration forpreparation of any combination of items on a QSR menu and may beconfigured to calculate a time duration for the execution of any carwashservice made available by CW system 104. In one example, time predictioncalculations may be based on historical data 124 as well as real timeinformation from the components of system 100. Historical data 124 mayinclude historical time duration data from prior instances of preparingeach QSR menu item and for executing each CW service. In addition totime durations, the historical data 124 may also include additional datathat is associated with each time duration value, such as time of day,day of the year, weather conditions, staffing level, etc. when the priorQSR meu item was prepared or CW service performed and that is associatedwith the time duration data and that can be used to predict future timedurations. Historical data 124 may also include nominal or baselineexpected time durations for each QSR and CW menu item. Real time datamay include any real time data provided by the components of system,such as, time of day, day of the year, current weather conditions,current staffing level. Real time data may also include real time foodorder que information for QSR 102 and CW system 104 which may include anumber of orders in que and a status of each order, (for example, notyet started, in progress, complete and at pickup window, delivered).Time prediction and time management module 122 may also be configured tocompare que information to inventory information from inventorymanagement system 144 to predict inventory shortages and compare statusinformation from kitchen management system 142 to que information topredict preparation time. For example, if a particular piece of kitchenequipment, such as a deep fryer or oven is currently being used and willbe required for a number of items in the que, time prediction and timemanagement module 122 may use that information to calculate an increasedtime duration for a subsequent order that also requires the same kitchenequipment and a shorter time duration for an item that only requires apiece of kitchen equipment that is idle or further from full capacity.Time prediction and time management module 122 may also be configured toreceive real time data from CW system 104 and que information tocalculate a time duration prediction for CW services. For example, asthe number of vehicles in que and the anticipated time duration of eachservice increases, the predicted time duration for the next customer toreceive a particular CW service may be increased, according to acapacity of the CW system.

In some implementations, time prediction and time management module 122may be configured with one or more artificial intelligence or machinelearning algorithms for learning from historical data 124 to determine apredicted time duration. In some examples, machine learning algorithmsinclude one or more models that may utilize training instances toprovide a time prediction. Machine learning broadly refers to utilizingalgorithms to learn from data and identify and compare patterns in data.A variety of different types of machine learning techniques may beemployed in embodiments of the present disclosure. Non-limiting examplesof machine learning techniques that may be employed include decisiontree and association rule learning, supervised, unsupervised, orsemi-supervised learning, and classification, regression, and clusteringtechniques, among others. One example implementation utilizes supervisedclassifier machine learning models and algorithms. In some examples,supervised learning models utilizing Support Vector Machines (SVM) maybe used. As will be appreciated, these models are merely provided by wayof example and other machine learning techniques may also be utilized toprovide a digital impairment assessment in accordance with the presentdisclosure.

In some examples, time prediction and time management module 122 may beconfigured to learn from historical data 124 to train one or moreclassifiers and learn from the data and provide a time prediction basedon the machine learning classifiers that, in some examples, arecontinuously updated with information as new data is received. In someexamples, time prediction and time management module 122 may beconfigured to leverage both supervised and unsupervised artificialintelligence and classification and clustering methods to calculate timepredictions. Artificial intelligence, classification, and clusteringmethods may include but are not limited to: logistic regression,decision trees, and neural network models in which previouslycaptured/collected or existing historical data and also aggregate orlarger scale time performance data from other locations is utilized inthe time prediction analysis.

In some implementations, an order and fulfillment process within an O-DVector may include, when a vehicle arrives at a QSR premises, the guestvehicle is recognized, for example, by a vehicle sensor 134, and theinformation compared to customer data 138 in database 126, wherecustomer name and/or preferences have been recorded and which could bedisplayed upon approach to the POS 106 on user interface 108. Thevehicle recognition process may also include checking database 126 todetermine if an order has already been remotely ordered, for example,via POS application 116 and user device 112, where vehicle registrationmay be part of the order and payment transaction. The order can beautomatically displayed on the POS screen of POS 106 and QSR 102 maybegin the food preparation sequence. In one example, throughout the day,the wait time (also referred to herein as the dwell time) of cars can bemonitored and recorded by a series of vehicle identification sensors(SVI), vehicle recognition sensors (SVR) and vehicle detections sensors(SVD). In one example, one or more sensors and methods of use describedin U.S. Pat. No. 9,488,723, titled “Method and system of controlling aDrive-through operation of a quick-service restaurant,” which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety, may be used. POS 106may be configured to display a customer's order together with projectedwait time, but also together with a projected wait time for the samefood item in combination with a carwash. The customer's selections,including choice of carwash from the carwash menu and/or choice of fooditem from the food menu is communicated to other components of thesystem, including CW system 104, QSR 102, server device 118. In responseto receipt of the user selections, server device 118 may send controlsignals to traffic management system 110 to direct and monitor thecustomer vehicle through the drive through so the guests arrive at thefood pickup location with or without a car wash when their food is fullyprepared and ready for pick up.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart for one example method 200 of using asystem, such as system 100 that includes both QSR and CW components. Inthe illustrated example, at block 201, a vehicle enters the QSRenvironment and at block 203 the vehicle proceeds to an ordering pointsuch as a window or standalone POS kiosk (e.g., POS 106), where ordersand choices are made. In examples where a user had previously placed anorder, for example via user device 112, the user can indicate his or herarrival when he or she has arrived at the ordering point. At theordering station, in some examples, a vehicle recognition system using,e.g., vehicle sensors 134, may recognize the customer's preferenceswhich become part of the overall order. At block 205, the user considersthe options presented to him at POS 106, including time durationinformation, which may be determined by server device 118, and in theillustrated example, decides whether to only order food or to also ordera carwash. At block 207, the customer has elected to proceed into thedrive-through lane and simply wait for the QSR food items and thevehicle enters a dedicated food pickup lane before arriving, at block209, at a QSR food pick-up window and then at block 211, exiting thefacility. On the other hand, if at block 205 the customer elected toutilize the dwell time while waiting for her food items to be prepared,at block 213 the vehicle first enters into a carwash lane and at block215 proceeds into the vehicle carwash, e.g., one of CW modules 140,before arriving at the QSR pick-up window at block 209 and exiting atblock 211.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart of another example method 300 of using asystem, such as system 100, that includes both QSR and CW components. Inthe illustrated example, at block 301, a vehicle enters a QSRenvironment and at block 303, a plurality of sensors, such as vehicleidentification (SVI) sensors, vehicle recognition (SVR) sensors, and/orvehicle detection (SVD) sensors are deployed. In one example, SVI, SVR,and SVD sensors are examples of vehicle sensors 134 (FIG. 1 ). In oneimplementation, a SVI sensor may include a license plate recognitionsensor will first enter the vehicle into a database, e.g., in customerdata 138 of database 126, with a time and date stamp and determinewhether the vehicle information is already stored in customer data 138and if the customer data includes customer preferences, and if so,display the previously stored customer preferences on a POS display,e.g., user interface 108 of POS 106 (FIG. 1 ). At block 305 the vehiclemoves forward and at block 307 arrives at a menu display offering bothQSR menu items and carwash options and at block 309, the customer makesone or more selections. In one implementation, all along the physicalpath of the drive-through lane, as the vehicle proceeds forward, vehicledetection sensors monitor the vehicle's progress with the aid of aplurality of SVD sensors, which may include, for example, one or more oflight sensors, acoustic sensors, photo-resistor and temperature sensors,proximity and infrared (IR) transceivers, ultrasonic and infrareddistance sensors, laser range sensors, encoders, stereo cameras, andpressure sensors. Each sensor may be configured to transmit sensor databy wired and/or wireless communication to a computing device, such asserver device 118 and/or a computing device of traffic management system110. As traffic moves through the O-D Vector, the server device 118and/or traffic management system 110 may receive information of theprogress of both the food preparation and carwash service in real timeand in real time together with the vehicle progress in the drive-throughlane and convert the information into vehicle guidance paradigms. Thismay include directional lights and traffic lights and directional voicecommands and in some examples, a physical barrier such as a movable gatefor directing traffic.

At block 307 an ordering window may be presented where customers placetheir orders and payments are made to a QSR employee operating a POSdevice such as POS device 106, or customers may directly place orders onthe POS ordering device with automated payment, e.g., credit cardpayment capabilities. The POS device may include a screen on which theQSR menu items are displayed, together with the carwash options, and mayinclude the estimated time of completing the O-D Vector of eachselection. A car recognition device (SVR), through contact with aserver, e.g. server device 118, may be configured to verify if an orderand payment have been made through an app or via the internet or LAN.Upon completion of the order transaction, at block 311 customers can bedirected via a directional traffic light, possibly combined, at block313 with a voice command to the appropriate lane corresponding to theirorders. At block 315, a physical barrier, such as an automatic gate, mayhelp prevent the vehicle going in the wrong lane, while opening theappropriate available lane. In one example, the physical barrier has adesign and construction similar to physical barriers used for tollbooths and parking garages.

At block 317, for QSR food orders only, where the customer chooses tonot purchase a carwash, the customer proceeds to a food only trafficlane. At blocks 319-325, recognized by SVRs, that the car is proceedingtoward the food pick-up window and a directional lights can help assistthe driver and traffic flow to arrive, at block 327, at the pick-upwindow. Returning to block 315, for customers who elected to utilizetheir anticipated dwell time by having their car washed, they proceedafter ordering, at blocks 329-337 to a carwash lane assisted byrecognition devices, directional lights and gates before being allowedto enter a vehicle carwash at block 339. In some examples, at block 341,while moving automatically through the carwash, the customers will beable to see the progress of their carwash, and in some examples,communication screens will also display the status of the chosen QSRmenu item that will be waiting for the QSR guests once they clear thecarwash, helping to increase the food anticipation. For example, aprogress screen may be displayed in user interface 114 of user device112. At blocks 343 and 345, recognition devices, gates, and directionallights may be configured to confirm the car has exited the carwash andguide the freshly cleaned cars to a pick-up window at 327. In oneexample, both types of customers exit the QSR facility, their overalldwell times monitored by the system until they exit at block 347.

FIG. 4 illustrates one example implementation of system 100 in the formof a facility 400 that includes a QSR, CW system, and traffic managementsystem. In the illustrated example, a single drive through lane (DTL)surrounds a QSR which has a POS a payment window (Q1) and an orderpick-up window Q2. Facility 400 also includes an in-bay carwash (IBW)which includes a space (also referred to as a bay) that is configured toreceive a vehicle, and the vehicle remains stationary in the bay duringthe wash; wash apparatuses circle the car in a friction, and/orfrictionless manner. The DTL includes a primary drive through lane 402and a secondary drive through lane 404, wherein the secondary drivethrough lane extends from a lane divergence location 406 of the primarydrive through lane, through the at least one automatic carwash apparatus(IBW), to a lane merge location 408 of the primary drive through lane.The secondary drive through lane 404 is an example of an optionalcarwash portion that routes at least a portion of the customer vehiclesto the automatic carwash apparatus (IBW) to provide an optional carwashservice to the customer vehicles while the customer vehicles are in thedrive through and en route to the pickup window Q2.

As shown in FIG. 4 , both vehicle A and B have crossed the edge of theQSR establishment (ENT) and arrived at the POS. Both vehicles may havebeen advised on the POS screen of the anticipated dwell time associatedwith a decision. Upon learning the information, vehicle B only ordersfood items at the POS from the QSR menu, while vehicle A chooses toorder both a food item as well as a carwash. An SVI identifies thedifferent cars. SVDs monitor the progress of the vehicles through theDTL. After the POS station, both cars arrive at a SVR that directsvehicles through a directional signal (LD) to either go left around theQSR to pick up the food items at Q2 via payment at Q1, or go further toenter the carwash (IBW). An SVI in front of the carwash has identifiedthe car and the carwash options chosen, checked the availability of thecarwash, and coordinates with the automatic doors (aD) of the IBW.Vehicle type A is then directed out of the carwash (IBW) and instructedto merge with vehicle B traffic in the food pick up drive-through lanethrough the use of traffic lights (LT) controlled by a trafficmanagement system (e.g., traffic management system 110 (FIG. 1 ).Facility 400 is configured to coordinate the preparation of food itemsfor both vehicle types A and B, with the food preparation time and thecarwash timing. Vehicle B may provide payment for the carwash either atPOS and payment option (PA) or at a separate POS/PA located in orproximate IBW. In examples where ordering and payment is made at thedrive through entrance, SVI may be configured to recognize the vehicleand associate each vehicle with its CW order.

In another example, instead of ordering at the POS and paying soonafter, customers can push a button at the POS where they receive a smallmobile ordering device (MOD) which functions as a wireless POS. Whileproceeding in the DTL, customers can place their orders. Each MOD may beconfigured for wireless communication with a server device such asserver device 118 and/or position sensors located along DTL to receivecustomer orders and track a position of a customer vehicle along theDTL. Orders may be made until a certain point in the DTL where vehiclesare either directed to make their orders and proceed or are instructedto take an off-ramp. Payment can be made by credit card or at the foodpick up window. To keep a constant supply of MODs available, the POS isconstantly fed with sufficient MOD devices by way of a delivery system,for example, using pneumatic tubing. In another example, customersreturn the MOD at the pickup window and a QSR employee physically placesthe MOD device in a receptacle of the POS device located inside the QSR.In another example customers may also by-pass the POS ordering station,without picking up a MOD, if they are already part of QSR membershipprogram allowed to make their orders using their mobile devices (e.g.,user device 112) while in the DTL. In yet another example, a customercan make an order via an app on their mobile phone while waiting in theDTL or carwash.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example graphical user interface (GUI) 500configured to be displayed on user interface 108 of POS 106 and/or userinterface 114 of user device 112. In the illustrated example, GUI 500 isconfigured to display a plurality of QSR menu items 502 a-502 g and eachmenu item includes a user control element 504 for selecting a number ofeach item, an item type display portion 506 for displaying the type ofitem, a price display portions 508 a and 508 b for dynamically updatingtotal cost according to the number of items selected. GUI 500 alsoincludes a predicted time display portion 510 that includes a pluralityof time prediction display portions 510 a-510 g for displaying apredicted time duration for preparation of the QSR menu item as well asa total time display portion 512 that displays a total predictedpreparation time to prepare all food items. GUI 500 may be configured tocommunicate in real time with server device 118 and display continuouslyupdated time predictions in time display portion 510 and 512 accordingto, for example, calculations performed by time prediction and timemanagement module 122 (FIG. 1 ).

In the illustrated example, a customer has selected seven different menuitems and GUI 500 is configured to display in predicted time displayportion 510 a predicted duration of time to prepare each item. In theillustrated example, server device 118 and/or POS 106 is also configuredto utilize information from QSR 102 and historical data 124 to accountfor concurrent preparation of multiple items 502. For example, the totalpredicted time displayed in total time display portion 512 in theillustrated example is only six minutes (360 seconds) even though thecumulative time to individually prepare each of the seven items isapproximately 18 minutes. Thus, in the illustrated example, POS 106 mayconsider concurrent order fulfilment methods. Server device 118 may, forexample, take into consideration that some items may be prepared at thesame time, while other items of the order may need to be added to theworkflow. In the illustrated example, display portion 510 a indicates itwill take 280 seconds for a single hamburger to be completed, however,if another menu item is selected that could be prepared concurrentlywith the hamburger, for example, using the same kitchen equipment, suchas another hamburger or a chicken sandwich, total time display portion512 may remain the same or only slightly increase even though 280-285seconds may also be required to prepare the second hamburger or chickensandwich. GUI 500 may be configured to dynamically update the timepredictions displayed in display portions 510 and 512 as the userincreases or decreases a number of food items 502 and as conditions atthe QSR change.

In some examples, POS 106 and server device 118 may utilize real timedata including que information regarding previously received orders thatare in progress, and the status of kitchen equipment and inventoryreceived from kitchen management system 142 and inventory managementsystem 144 to modify a predicted preparation time displayed on GUI 500.For example, an additional order of french fries 502 d may normally haveincreased the time prediction displayed in display portion 510 d by onlythe predicted amount of time to load french fries into a secondcontainer if data from kitchen management system 142 and/or inventorymanagement system 144 indicates there is a sufficient quantity of cookedfrench fries available. However, if kitchen management system 142 and/orinventory management system 144 indicates additional french fries willneed to be freshly made to fulfill a second order because, for example,a comparison of preceding orders in que to a current inventory of cookedfrench fries indicates more will need to be cooked. In this instance, asmall additional french fries order may result in a greater amount oftime added to time display portions 510 d and 512 thereby forewarningthe customer when he or she is ordering at POS 106, which may helpadjust service expectations and reduce possible disappointment at thefinal pick up window when the total wait time in the drive-through laneis longer than average.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example graphical user interface (GUI) 600configured to be displayed on user interface 108 of POS 106 and/or userinterface 114 of user device 112. In the illustrated example, GUI 600 isconfigured to display a plurality of QSR menu items QM01-QM07 and aplurality of CW menu items CW01-CW07. Each of the QSR menu items and CWmenu items are graphically displayed soft user control elements andconfigured to be selectable by a user pressing the touch-sensitivedisplay where the corresponding user control element is displayed. GUI600 also includes a total QSR time prediction display portion TD1 and atotal QSR and CW time prediction display portion TTD2 for conveying tothe customer how a total wait time may be impacted by adding or removingQSR items and by adding or removing CW menu items. The time predictionsmay be determined using any of the techniques and methodologiesdisclosed herein, including by calculations performed by time predictionand time management module 122 (FIG. 1 ). As in other examples describedherein, the time predictions displayed in display portions TD1 and TTD2may be dynamically updated according to user selections and real timedata from the system. Although not illustrated in FIG. 6 , GUI 600 mayinclude additional display portions and user control elements as shownin FIG. 4 for allowing the user to select a number of each item and fordisplaying a price of each item. GUI 600 also includes a first confirmor order button CF1 for ordering just food and a second confirm or orderbutton CF2 for ordering both food and a carwash. Thus, GUI 600 isdesigned and configured to communicate whether adding a carwash to afood order will increase a total wait time utilizing, in some examples,advanced time prediction techniques disclosed herein to provide anintelligent and real time prediction of an estimated wait time. In theillustrated example, GUI 600 indicates a total predicted wait time willbe 234 seconds to receive a food order and only an additional 21 secondsto also obtain a car wash, which may encourage the customer to add a carwash to his or her order.

FIG. 7A illustrates another example graphical user interface (GUI) 700configured to be displayed on user interface 108 of POS 106 and/or userinterface 114 of user device 112. In the illustrated example, GUI 700includes the same display portions and user control elements as GUI 600including a plurality of QSR menu items QM01-QM07 and a plurality of CWmenu items CW01-CW07. GUI 700 also includes a plurality of equal timeindicators ELS1-ELS7 and additional time displays TAS1-TAS7. In theillustrated example, each of the CW menu items, equal time indicatorsELS and additional time displays TAS are configured to dynamicallyadjust display information according to a user selection of QSR menuitems to convey which CW menu items will not increase a wait time. Forthe CW menu items where a wait time would be longer, the additionalamount of time may also be displayed. In the illustrated example, a userhas selected a hamburger and in response user control element QM01becomes highlighted and a plurality of CW control elements also becomehighlighted to indicate which CW options if selected would not increasethe user's wait time to receive the hamburger. In the illustratedexample, CW options CW01, CW02, and CW03 are highlighted, indicatingthey will not add time. Equal time indicators ELS1-ELS3 are alsohighlighted to convey CW options CW01-CW03 will not add to the totalwait time. Additional time displays TAS4-TAS7 display a calculated timeduration indicating how much each option would add to the total waittime as compared to just ordering QSR item QM01. A user may vary his orher selection of food items by pressing user control elements QM01-QM07and as the user adds or subtracts food items from his order, GUI 700dynamically adjusts the display of CW menu items CW01-CW07, equal timeindicators ELS1-ELS7 and additional time displays TAS1-TAS7 to conveyhow changing the food order may change the available CW items that thecustomer may be able to get without increasing the total wait time. GUI700 also includes a messaging and instruction screen 702 for adding auser annotation such as special food preparation instructions andallergy information. In the example shown in FIG. 7 , a user hasselected user control element QM01 (hamburger) and user control elementCW04 (deluxe carwash), time display TTD1 indicates a predicted totalwait time to receive a hamburger is 234 seconds and the predicted timeto also receive a deluxe carwash is 254 seconds, or an additional 20seconds relative to just a hamburger order or just a hamburger ordercombined with one or CW options CW01-CW03. The user can confirm hisselection by pressing confirm button CF1 (for just a food order) or CF2for hamburger and deluxe carwash.

FIG. 7B illustrates another example graphical user interface (GUI) 720configured to be displayed on user interface 108 of POS 106 and/or userinterface 114 of user device 112. GUI 720 is similar to GUI 700 andincludes a plurality of QSR menu items QM01-QM07, a plurality of CW menuitems CW01-CW07, and a plurality additional time displays TAS1-TAS7. Inthe illustrated example, GUI 720 is configured to automatically suggesta type of carwash option that would result in no time penalty for acorresponding food order by highlighting only one carwash option. Forexample, if a customer orders only coffee, the quickest carwash type isrecommended. When a customer orders a complex meal, an involved carwashthat takes longer to complete is recommended. In another example, thedriver of vehicle A may select a chicken sandwich (QMO3) from the QSRmenu. A time prediction and time management module 122 may perform atime prediction calculation using any of the data and calculationtechniques disclosed herein and determine that carwash treatment CW02,an express carwash, is the best possible carwash that will not increasethe customer's wait time in a drive through lane or time to receipt ofhis food order. The recommendation is communicated via highlighting orflashing user control element CW02 and the corresponding additional timedisplay indicator TAS2, communicating the recommended carwash optionwill require zero seconds of additional wait time. Total time displayTTD1 for QSR order without a carwash and total time display with acarwash TTD2 show the same total time. The calculated additionalrequired time for longer duration carwash treatments CW03-CW06 isdisplayed in the corresponding TAS indicators and the customer maychoose to order one of carwash treatments CW03-CW06 instead of therecommended CW02 if, for example, he or she has enough time and/ordetermines the improved wash is worth the additional wait.

FIG. 7C illustrates another example graphical user interface (GUI) 730configured to be displayed on user interface 108 of POS 106 and/or userinterface 114 of user device 112. GUI 730 includes a desired timeportion 732 that includes a desired time display 734 and a controlelement 736 for allowing a user to specify the maximum amount of timethe user is willing or able to wait for a food order, also referred toherein as a user-specified maximum wait time. In response to inputting amaximum time value, here 240 seconds, time prediction and timemanagement module 122 (FIG. 1 ) may be configured to execute any of thecalculation methodologies disclosed herein to calculate a predicted timeduration for each of a plurality of QSR menu items 738, compare thepredicted time durations to the user-specified time duration andhighlight the user control elements for the QSR menu items 738 that arecapable of being delivered with the customer-specified time duration. Inthe illustrated example, server 118 (FIG. 1 ) has determined that QSRmenu items 738 c, 738 d, and 738 f are available within theuser-specified time duration by highlighting those options. GUI 730 mayalso or alternately include yes/no indicators 740 for indicating theresult of the time calculation. In one example, the customer may selectone or more QSR menu items 738 and then select a confirm button 742 toprocess the order. In the illustrated example, GUI 730 only includes QSRmenu items, however, in other examples, GUI 730 may also include CW menuitems and indicate which CW menu items are available within theuser-specified time duration.

FIG. 7D illustrates another example graphical user interface (GUI) 750configured to be displayed on user interface 108 of POS 106 and/or userinterface 114 of user device 112. GUI 750 includes a desired timeportion 752 that includes a desired time display 754 and a controlelement 756 for allowing a user to specify the maximum amount of timethe user is willing to wait or the maximum amount of time the user has.In response to inputting a maximum time value, here 360 seconds, timeprediction and time management module 122 (FIG. 1 ) may be configured toexecute any of the calculation methodologies disclosed herein tocalculate a predicted time duration for each of a plurality QSR menuitems. In the illustrated example, GUI 750 includes a dynamic QSR menudisplay portion 758 that is configured to only display items from theQSR menu that can be prepared and delivered within the time specified bythe customer. Thus, GUI 750 provides a simplified and user-friendlyconfiguration showing only a subset of QSR menu items for selection by auser. The automatic suggestions may help reduce decision time, and mayalso maximize sales within the allotted time and the array ofsuggestions may entice customers to the most profitable items.

In the illustrated example, QSR menu display portion 758 includes aplurality of user control elements grouped by category and also includesrecommended sub options within each category for completing a mealrather than just one item. In the illustrated example, four orderrecommendations are displayed that are organized by category and withineach category a combination of menu items is suggested, where eachcombination can be delivered within the user-specified 360 second timeframe. In this example, the four categories are: “Hamburger”, “Salad”,“Chicken”, and “Breakfast.” In each of those categories a combination issuggested, still within the 360 seconds. For example in the category“Hamburger”, a menu combination of French-fries, sandwich, and colddrink is recommend. The recommendations in display portion 758 may becommunicated to consumers by way of an interactive communication screenand the recommendations may be accompanied by pictures, illustrations,and details of ingredients. Some recommendations may be supported byvoice recordings, personal advice from a customer service person withinthe establishment, and other advertising and promotional materials.Factors other than time may also be taken into account when determiningthe recommended combinations of menu items to display in display portion758. For example, customer preferences, customer order history, andcustomer information (such as proximity to a special even such as abirthday or anniversary) may be utilized as well as day of the year,current weather conditions, time of day.

In addition to or instead of QSR menu display portion 758, GUI 750 mayinclude a scrollable display 760 that allows a user to scroll throughcombinations of menu items according to a predicted time duration toprepare the menu item. In the illustrated example, scrollable display760 is showing three options 762 a, 762 b, 762 c arranged by length oftime to prepare. In the illustrated example, GUI 750 only includes QSRmenu items, however, in other examples, GUI 750 may also include CW menuitems and indicate which CW menu items are available within theuser-specified time duration.

FIG. 7E illustrates another example graphical user interface (GUI) 770configured to be displayed on user interface 108 of POS 106 and/or userinterface 114 of user device 112. GUI 770 displays a plurality of QSRmenus 772 a-772 g to assist a user in deciding which QSR establishmentto go to and also to pre-order one or more QSR items. GUI 770 alsoincludes a desired time portion 774 for specifying a maximum amount oftime the customer has or is willing to wait. In response, a serverdevice, such as server device 118 may calculate a time duration for eachmenu item for each QSR and GUI 770 may be configured to indicate whichQSRs have menu items that can be prepared in the user-specified timeduration and the specific QSR menu items that are available. In theillustrated example GUI 770 includes a highlighted portion 776 that hashighlighted one menu item from each QSR that would be available. Inresponse, a user may select one or more menu items and complete his orher order while en route to the selected QSR establishment. In theillustrated example, GUI 770 only includes QSR menu items, however, inother examples, GUI 770 may also include CW menu items and indicatewhich CW menu items are available within the user-specified timeduration.

FIG. 8 illustrates another example implementation of system 100 (FIG. 1) in the form of a facility 800 that includes a QSR, CW system, andtraffic management system. In the illustrated example, a QSR is servicedby 2 drive-through lanes (DTL1,2). Vehicle A has chosen both a carwashand a QSR item at the POS station and optional payment station (Pa). Theorder and payment are communicated from the POS to other components ofthe facility including one or more of a server device, kitchenmanagement system and CW system (see, e.g., FIG. 1 ). A trafficmanagement system directs the vehicle to proceed by way of directionallight (LD) and traffic light (LT) into a second drive-through lane D2,when other sensors confirm that the lane is safe to enter. Vehicledetection sensors (SVD), for example, inductive and capacitive sensorsand/or radar sensors, are configured to detect vehicles that are bothstationary and in motion. A vehicle recognition sensor (SVR) confirmsthe arrival of the vehicle at the gate G and that payment has been madefor the carwash and allows gate G to open the dedicated carwash lane sothat the car can proceed to the in-bay automatic carwash (IBW). Vehicledetection sensor SVD coordinates with a detection sensor in the carwashto allow the car to proceed. For example, a wireless ultrasonic sensoruses sound waves mounted directly onto the ceiling of the IBW. Theautomatic doors aD open when the IBW is available and allows car A toenter. Meanwhile car B has chosen only to purchase a QSR item andproceeds in drive-through Lane DTL1. When Car A is exiting the IBWcarwash, sensor C1 for example optical sensors with an opposed modesensor that uses the interruption of a light beam between an emitter anda receiver, communicates that the car is exiting the IBW. Traffic inDTL1 and DTL2 is coordinated by way of vehicle detections sensors SVD,traffic lights LT and gates G so that both vehicles A and B approachtheir destination within an optimum O-D vector.

FIG. 9 illustrates another example implementation of system 100 (FIG. 1) in the form of a facility 900 that includes a QSR, CW system, andtraffic management system. In the illustrated example, facility 900includes a plurality of carwash modules, here, three in-bay carwashmodules IBW1-IBW3 to maximize the number of customers that can receive acarwash without negatively impacting total wait time for any customer.Similar to other example facilities disclosed herein, the vehicletraffic pattern may be coordinated by taking into account the QSR foodpreparation and presentation times so that getting a car washed does notdelay a QSR visit. The ability to coordinate QSR items in combinationwith a plurality of in-bay carwashes, allows the QSR to scale up withinits own real estate as demand for its carwash services grows andtraditional QSR customers can experience the same dwell time in thedrive-through lanes as before any carwash services were added. In theillustrated example, after POS, vehicle B (without CW) is directed to godirectly to pay and pick up the QSR orders and windows Q1 and Q2, andvehicle A (having ordered both QSR+CW) is directed through directionallight LD1, sensor S1 and S2, in coordination with in-bay carwash statussensors (CS1, CS2, CS3) to enter into drive-through lane DTL 2 andvehicle type A is directed by directional light DL2 towards the firstavailable in-bay carwash.

FIG. 10 illustrates another example implementation of system 100 (FIG. 1) in the form of a facility 1000 that includes a QSR, CW system, andtraffic management system. In the illustrated example, the customer haspre-ordered and prepaid via an mobile app or a website, where thevehicle registration number is connected to the order. Upon crossing theentrance ENT of the premises, a vehicle recognition sensor SVRidentifies the vehicle which is directed to proceed directly forward. Inanother method the driver orders and makes a credit card payment at thePOS station and proceeds forward or makes payment window Q1. Vehicle B(QSR only) is directed by the traffic management system towards thepick-up window Q2 and vehicle A (QSR+CW) is recognized through vehiclerecognition and detection sensors SVR, SVD and directed by directionallights LD, Gates G and traffic light L1 to an IBW prior to picking uphis or her food order at Q2.

FIG. 11 illustrates another example implementation of system 100 (FIG. 1) in the form of a facility 1100 that includes a QSR, CW system, andtraffic management system. In the illustrated example, a single carwashmodule in the form of a tunnel carwash is provided that includes aconveyor belt and is configured to concurrently wash a plurality ofcars. Vehicle A (ordering QSR item+CW) and vehicle B (ordering QSR itemonly) are coordinated and directed by a traffic management systemutilizing an extended lane. Both A and B types of vehicles place theirorders at the POS and make payment, either at the credit card option Paor payment window Q1. During and upon successful payment vehicles areidentified as either type A or type B and provided a uniqueidentification number, for example by any of the techniques describedherein (e.g., machine vision recognition of license plate or wirelesscommunication with a device located in the vehicle, such as a mobilephone, a temporarily loaned device or a disposable RFID tag) so thateach vehicle may be guided and monitored. All vehicles proceed forwardafter payment and traffic is directed with the aid of sensors,directional lights and gates using any of the implementations of trafficmanagement systems and server devices disclosed herein. FIG. 12illustrates another example implementation of system 100 (FIG. 1 ) inthe form of a facility 1200 that is substantially the same as facility1100 except the QSR has 2 lanes and vehicle type A (a combination ofQSR+CW) and vehicle type B (strictly QSR) are directed into separatelanes immediately after ordering which may eliminate the need to provideand track a unique vehicle identification number and provide asimplified traffic management and routing process.

FIG. 13A illustrates another example implementation of system 100 (FIG.1 ) in the form of a facility 1300 that includes a QSR, CW system, andtraffic management system and is substantially the same in many respectto other facilities disclosed herein. In the illustrated example,facility 1300 includes a plurality of types of carwash modules, in theillustrated example, two IBWs IBW2) and one tunnel carwash (TCW).Vehicles are driven completely into the IBW structure and remainstationary and subsequently a carwash apparatus moves around the vehiclein the structure. In a TCW the driver gives up control of the car andthe vehicle is moved through the carwash on a conveyor belt, or a chaindevice that moves or pulls the vehicle through the wash structure wheredifferent stationary apparatuses each with a different function come incontact with the moving vehicle. In one example, a first component mayspray soap chemicals on the car, a second component may include rollersthat clean with friction, a third component may contain high-pressurewater hoses that spray any remaining chemicals off the vehicle and afourth component may include high velocity blowers to dry the vehicle.The TWC requires a larger footprint than an IBW, however, it may providea higher quality wash, and/or faster wash, and/or the capacity to wash ahigher number of vehicles per unit of time as compared to a single IBW.

By having a variety of carwash module types, facility 1300 providesgreater choice to customers and also provides more flexibility for acontrol system of the facility to maximize the ability to provide acarwash to each customer while not exceeding the dwell time associatedwith a food-only order. For example an IBW may be ‘touchless system’ bydefault, where the car is washed without physical contact by rollerssimply by water, chemical, solutions, sprays and dryers. Another IBW maybe dedicated to very rigorous washing desired by off-road vehicles, forexample, while the TWC may offer yet other variables.

One or more of carwash modules IBW1, IBW2, and TCW, may be housed inpermanent structures, or one or more may be housed in modulartransportable structures. In some examples, facilities made inaccordance with the present disclosure may include transportable CWmodules that can me moved according to a traffic volume of the QSRestablishment. A transportable modular CW structures may provide avariety of benefits, for example, a majority, e.g., two thirds, of theinvestment in the carwash module can be relocated, reduced, or upgraded,leaving the permanent site work, such as drainage, in place. The type ofcarwash can also be more easily changed, for example, an IBW may bereplaced by a tunnel as customer demand for carwash services increases.Modular transportable carwash structures may, therefore, give greaterflexibility for the QSR to respond to changing market conditions.

In some examples, a transportable modular CW apparatus may include aclosed-loop self-contained water system that is designed to address twoof the largest costs of any carwash operation, namely water and sewercosts while also meeting legal and environmental requirements regardingwater usage and water discharge. In some examples, a transportablemodular CW apparatus may be a self-contained system and may be designedto remove used chemical particles and suspended solids such as sand anddust from water in a water recycling system. In some examples, atransportable modular CW apparatus may be configured for biodegradablechemicals and may include a reverse osmosis and aeration systemconfigured to process collected water to turn the water from anaerobicto aerobic thus reducing unwanted odors.

In some examples, a transportable modular CW apparatus may be configuredwith filters and ozone to remove odor and suspended solids and mayinclude a system that applies cyclonic separation and bacteria to cleanand recycle water. A self-contained purifying and recycling system andprocess allows for a fixed volume of water to be continuously re-usedwith minimal discharge and minimal water requirements. Suchenvironmentally responsible business practices of conserving water andreducing waste may reduce any need for special permitting, while inaddition would help to eliminate the need for an extensive utilityinfrastructure footprint, because the self-contained carwash systemwould draw water from one or more water reservoirs connected to thetransportable modular CW apparatus and deliver recycled and processedwater back to the reservoir for re-use. Such a system also reduces theburden on any existing municipal and regional sewage systems. Moreoversuch a self-contained water recycling system reduces any reliance on thewater quality provided by a municipality, which may not be clean orinert enough for an optimal carwash. Such a system would also supportenvironmentally friendly marketing and communication efforts to draw inconsumers. Also, a transportable modular CW apparatus has the extrabenefit that a carwash can be erected in less space, such as a QSR realestate footprint, and less time, and may be more independent of anygovernmental rate changes and importantly can be built without the needto special access to a substantial sanitary sewer systems on small washsites.

A transportable modular CW apparatus may be housed in on-site erectedpermanent structures, in prefabricated buildings, or may be constructedin a versatile modular fashion, a method which would permit efficienterecting and, if needed, relocating a fully operational CW from one QSRto the another. Flexibility is introduced by adopting modulartransportable structures, because both capacity and range of services bydifferent types of carwashes can be upgraded or adjusted more easilysuch as an IBW may be replaced by a tunnel system, or a touchless systemmay be easily installed to replace existing roller type IBW. Moreover,two thirds of the investment in the modular carwash may be relocated,leaving only the permanent site work, such as drainage, behind.

A transportable modular carwash may be shipped to a QSR site with theequipment pre-installed within each modular section, or a fully modularequipment room may be supplied that may connect with modular sectionsthat have the required connections such as wiring and piping so that theCW may instantly operate once connected. Modular CW structures may allowfor greater quality consistency and construction and may be commenced assoon as zoning boards approve the drawings. Such off-site modularconstruction may begin concurrently while sites are being prepared. Aszoning requirements are often regionally similar a faster roll out maybe accomplished to develop a territory and the speed of staking acompetitive advantage would only be limited by the availability andcapability of transport vehicles capable of moving the large modularsections.

FIGS. 13B and 13C illustrate one example of a transportable modular CWapparatus 1302 that is self-propelled under its own power so that it maybe quickly and easily driven to a location as needed, for example at aQSR or convenience store. Such a self-propelled mobile carwash maycombine the benefits of a closed water system 1310 with a fully equippedmobile section 1312, so that the CW operations can commence, withoutsite preparations, as soon as zoning requirements are met and as fast asthe mobile unit can arrive. In some examples, a mobile carwash may besolar powered, for example with solar roof panels 1314, andself-propelled or pulled in a truck-trailer configuration 1316 similarto a container shipment. The mobile unit may have on and off ramps 1318or may be constructed so that the unit can be lowered to the ground foreasy access of cars, with both an entrance and exit similar to an IBW ortunnel carwash (see FIG. 13C). In some examples, a mobile carwash mayhave a modular configuration, where a number of mobile units areconnected to each other to expand the capacity of the carwash, or beconnected to a separate equipment unit 1320, a separate closed-loopwater containment system 1322, or for example a water tanker truck, theindividual parts connected for example by way of hoses, pipes and cables1324, on or underground. A mobile carwash unit may also be connected orbecome part of existing permanent carwashes to represent an instantcapacity expansion and expansion of type of services.

FIG. 14 illustrates another example implementation of system 100 (FIG. 1) in the form of a facility 1400 that includes a QSR, CW system, andtraffic management system. In the illustrated example, vehicle A hasordered QSR items plus a carwash and vehicle B has only ordered QSRitems. Here at, or near, the POS, both vehicles move onto conveyor beltsC1 and C2 that may have a similar construction to TCW conveyor system. Atraffic management system, with the aid of a car identification sensorS1 determines whether to convey each vehicle along conveyor C1 or C2 andin the illustrated example the traffic management system includes aturntable TT1 for controlling the conveyance of a vehicle to conveyor C1or C2. In some examples a second turntable TT2 may be used to direct avehicle after a car wash, for example at the exit of the illustrated TCWto a common conveyor C3 for conveying both vehicle types to paymentwindow Q1 and food pickup window Q2. The traffic management system maybe configured to operate TT2 to automatically convey vehicle A back tothe common drive-through lane on conveyor C3, taking into accountvehicle type B on conveyor C1 (DTL1) for example, by way of a sensor S3and a gate G. The presence and number of vehicles on the conveys may bemonitored by sensors which interface with the traffic management system,the traffic management system may be configured to controls a speed ofconveyors C1 and C2 in order to efficiently merge the two streams oftraffic.

FIG. 15 illustrates another example implementation of system 100 (FIG. 1) in the form of a facility 1500 that includes a QSR, CW system, andtraffic management system. In the illustrated example, facility 1500includes a plurality of mobile carwash pods (POD1, POD2, POD3 and POD4labeled) that are configured to receive a vehicle after ordering at POSand simultaneously transport the vehicle and wash the vehicle as thevehicle is advanced along the drive through lane. In the illustratedexample, each carwash pod (e.g. POD1-POD4) includes a self-containedcapsule 1502 with self-supporting onboard systems 1504 for washing avehicle. In one example, onboard systems 1504 may include one or more ofwater tanks, chemical and soap solution containers, and batteries. Inanother example, each POD may have connections to water, soap, power,etc., that allow for the POD to move while still remaining in fluid andelectrical communication with the corresponding source. In one example,each POD may be continuously coupled to a drainage, for example, an openor closed ditch that extends along a path of the mobile PODs, or forexample, by vacuum tubes that suck the fluids from the pod. In anotherexample, each POD may have a waste storage tank with valves thatperiodically connect to a waste system, for example, after completion ofa wash and prior to the commencement of a new wash. In one example, eachPOD may include docking valves and electric plugs. Once in position tocommence a carwash, the docking valves connect with complementary valvesthat are connected to hoses that supply the carwash POD with water,chemical and other solutions and the plugs are automatically connectedto electric sockets to supply the carwash apparatuses, lights andcommunication screens with power, or for example in a similar fashion aselectric trams or buses, by a connecting rod to a life-wire circuit.

In the illustrated example, vehicle A having ordered both a QSR item andCW service at the POS is directed into POD1 (with carwash servicesinside). Vehicle A enters POD1 and after entry a first door 1508 acloses to secure the capsule 1502 and POD1 begins to move. The PODsincluding POD1 may be mobile by way of a conveyor belt system or viawheels operatively attached to each POD that support the POD and allowit to roll along the DTL, which may include rolling along a track thewheels are captured in. By the time the POD reaches an end point 1506the carwash cycle is complete, a second door 1508 b opens allowing thevehicle to exit. Vehicle B, having only ordered from the QSR menu mayeither drive or be conveyed along without entry into a POD where thenext POD remains stationary at a location adjacent POS until a vehicleorders a CW service, or vehicle B may be instructed to enter a POD butno carwash service is activated. By providing a plurality of mobilecarwash modules (PODs) facility 1500 may have a relatively high carwashcapacity in a relatively small footprint, which may be particularlyadvantageous for locations where real estate is limited. Facilityenables a high carwash capacity for a larger volume of customers whileminimizing wait time to enable the provision of CW services within thetime frame required to prepare QSR menu items.

FIG. 15A illustrates another example of a facility 1520 that includesmobile carwash pods 1510 a-15101 (only four labeled) wherein the podsare configured for vertical movement via an elevator mechanism, whichmay be especially useful for urban settings where space is limited. Inone example, a choice of type of carwash is arranged in differentelevators where, for example, elevator pod 1 (ELVP 1) contains a touchfree carwash, while ELVP 2 contains a friction carwash type and ELVP 3specializes in a wax treatment and ELVP 4 is specially configured totreat vehicles with dirt, etc. After a customer makes a selection, theELVP of choice comes into position. In another example of an ELVParrangement vehicles ride the elevator cycle as is exemplified in ELVP 6where vehicle V has entered the O-D vector in position ELVP1 and ridesthe cycle until it is back in the same position. The O-D vector moves ina circular motion (first up, then sideways, then down again) whereby theelevator pods are fed with hoses and drainage pipes in a similar fashionas cables follow the elevator, at all times reducing the weight of theelevator carwash pod.

FIG. 16 illustrates another example implementation of system 100 (FIG. 1) in the form of a facility 1600 that includes a QSR, CW system, andtraffic management system. In the illustrated example, facility 1600 isan exemplary environment configured to optimize the O-D vector wherebythe QSR and CW drive-through operations are completely separated withouta confluence at a pick-up window. Carwash services are integrated into anew structural design optimizing the utilization of the QSR real-estate.In this embodiment the drive-through with carwash services becomes thecenter of the structure optimizing premium real-estate and offering twotypes of impulse purchases at once, carwash and fast-food, with equalperceived importance. Vehicle type B (ordering strictly from the QSRmenu, having paid either at the POS and payment option Pa or at paymentwindow Q1 is directed, for example, by directional lights LD to followthe QSR traditional route, prevented by a gate G from entering thebuilding, and directed to pick-up window Q2 b to pick up the food order.Vehicles A, which have ordered from the QSR menu as well as the CW menuare directed to proceed into a tunnel carwash Tn. Upon completion theQSR food items are available at pick up window Q2 a. The illustratedconfiguration makes it very apparent for vehicle A and B that they exitthe QSR premises at the same, or nearly the same time, therebyencouraging the vehicle B customers to also order a carwash next time.FIG. 17 illustrates another example of a facility 1700 that issubstantially the same as facility 1600 except for the location of thepayment window Q1 (located within the QSR structure (FIG. 16 ) oroutside (FIG. 17 )).

FIG. 18 illustrates another example implementation of system 100 (FIG. 1) in the form of a facility 1800 that includes a QSR, CW system, andtraffic management system. In the illustrated example, bothdrive-through operations are embedded inside the QSR facility. Theproximity of the QSR lane DTL1 and the QSR+carwash lane DTL2 inside thestructure further facilitates the synergism gained from combining theQSR and CW services. As 70% or more of QSR orders are typicallydrive-through orders, the drive-through service is the most critical andmost appreciated. Moreover since the two lanes DTL1, DTL2 are in closerproximity to each other, the traditional QSR customers in DTL 1 will beable to directly compare and observe that their dwell time is identicalto that of customers in DTL 2 that have ordered both from the QSR menuand the carwash services. This observation may stimulate demand foradditional carwash services in the future. Both types of customers canobserve the inner operations of the QSR which may also stimulate demandfor additional QSR items in their next visit. Drivers and passengers maychose to leave their vehicles, and allow the vehicles to proceedindependently through the carwash. Upon completion of the carwash and,if applicable, having picked up their QSR orders, the drivers andpassengers rejoin their vehicles.

FIG. 19 illustrates another example implementation of system 100 (FIG. 1) in the form of a facility 1900 that includes a QSR, CW system, andtraffic management system. In the illustrated example, facility 1900includes an underground carwash UCW which is beneficial in urban areaswhere a QSR may not have sufficient real estate to accommodate anabove-ground carwash. The entrance to DTL1 and DTL 2 may be essentiallythe same as the entrance to a parking garage that includes a groundlevel parking lot and an underground parking lot. A POS located upstreamof DTL 1 and DTL 2 may receive the customer's orders and a trafficmanagement system may be configured to direct the customers to theunderground DTL2 for a carwash before emerging again at ground level tomerge with DTL 1 and proceed to the QSR order pickup window Q2.

FIG. 20 illustrates another example implementation of system 100 (FIG. 1) in the form of a facility 2000 that includes a QSR, CW system, andtraffic management system. In the illustrated example, facility 2000provides various methods for paid QSR orders to be picked up in advanceof a carwash and illustrates an alternate configuration where QSR fooditems are picked up prior to receiving a carwash. In the illustratedexample, prepaid vehicle C enters the QSR premises in a traditionalDrive-through lane (DTL1) and is identified by the vehicle recognitionsensor (SVR). At the time of ordering, vehicle type C has also suppliedthe QSR with an expected time of arrival (ETA) and QSR has processed theorder for the food to be timely ready for pick-up. Vehicle C is thendirected to leave DTL1 and enter a separate prepaid drive-through laneDTLP. In another example, a QSR with a dedicated DTLP can invite prepaidvehicles type C to directly enter this DTLP by way of a directionalsignage SD at the point of origin of the O-D Vector, at the edge of thepremises where a SVR identifies the vehicle. Upon registering thepresence of vehicle C on the premises, the QSR kitchen management systemmay be configured to add vehicle C's order to a que of orders ofvehicles on the premises according to the specific DTL and the order ofthe vehicles in each the DTL so that vehicle C's order is ready forpickup when it arrives at pickup window Q2. In the illustrated example,facility 2000 includes satellite pickup stations 2002 a, 2002 b that maybe supplied by way of QSR staff transporting food orders from the mainbuilding of the QSR, who may reach the satellite pick-up stations forexample by way of an underground connection. In another example, thesatellite pick-up stations 2002 may be supplied by way of a pneumatictube-order delivery system PTPU supplied from order pick-up window Q22004. Another vehicle type vehicle A, which has paid for a carwash and aQSR order at payment window Q1, may proceed to food pick-up window Q22004 and, recognized by an SVR, is directed by LD and G to a DTL2 thatincludes an IBW1 CW module whereas vehicle B is directed by LD and G toDTL1 and allowed to proceed to an exit without receiving a carwash.Vehicle A proceeds to the IBW1 carwash with their QSR order, similar toprepaid vehicle C, which is directed to IBW2, so that customers mayoptimize their personal time by consuming their QSR orders while theircars are being washed. If vehicle C, or other type of vehicles in DTLP 1have to exit before the carwash, they may use off-ramp OR to leave theQSR premises and vehicle type C may be recognized by an SVR on the OR sothat it receives credit for a future carwash.

FIG. 21 illustrates another example implementation of system 100 (FIG. 1) in the form of a facility 2100 that includes a QSR, CW system, andtraffic management system. In the illustrated example, facility 2100includes one default drive-through lane for carwash customers andanother drive through lane DTL1 for QSR only customers. Customersentering facility 2100 may thus make their decision to opt for a carwashbefore arriving at the facility and choose the corresponding defaultlane or DTL1. For customers who have pre-ordered and pre-paid via, forexample, a mobile app, the traffic management system may be configuredto identify those customers, for example, by license plate number, whichmay be entered by the customer during initial registration in the mobileapplication, and a directional traffic light directs those customers tothe correct default lane. Similarly, other customers who have registereda preferred choice may be guided by the traffic management system to thecorrect lane. In some examples, the POS for the CW lane may only beconfigured to present CW menu options and/or may allow the user to onlyselect CW menu options. After paying for w CW service and driving up tothe IBW, the customer may be presented with QSR menu items, for example,via the user's user device 112. The user may then make a QSR order whilehis car is being washed in the IBW and be directed by the directionallights LT and gate G2 to the QSR pickup window Q2 if the customer made afood purchase and directed through an alternate exit route if he/she didnot make a food purchase.

FIG. 22 illustrates another example implementation of system 100 (FIG. 1) in the form of a facility 2200 that includes a QSR, CW system, andtraffic management system. In the illustrated example, facility 2200includes a single drive through lane for all customers that includes atunnel carwash TCW. In the illustrated example, vehicle type A hasordered a carwash and vehicle type B has not. The vehicles areidentified and recognized by SVI, SVR, and or SVD, for example, bymerely recognizing the presence of the vehicle at the entrance to theTCW and an order in which the vehicles entered the drive though lane.TCW is activated when vehicle A enters and washes the vehicle accordingto the CW service that was selected while vehicle B is merely conveyedalong TCW without activating the cleaning systems of the TCW. FIG. 23illustrates an exemplary facility 2300 that is similar to facility 2200(FIG. 22 ) where a carwash, here an IBW, is a default configuration forthe QSR. If a customer chooses to opt-out of the paid carwash, vehicleB, for example, can take one of a series of off-ramps OR1,OR2,OR3 toexit the premises altogether and terminate the O-D vector voluntarily.Traffic management system can be configured to recognize vehicle B'spremature departure and register a credit for the vehicle B customer forthe unused carwash. Vehicle B after exiting may also rejoin the trafficflow at point C1 to complete the O-D vector and pick up their foodorder.

FIG. 24 illustrates another example implementation of system 100 (FIG. 1) in the form of a facility 2400 that includes a QSR, CW system, andtraffic management system. In the illustrated example, facility 2400includes a plurality of CW module types and is configured to directvehicles according to their food order to a type of carwash module, orpreferred other option, at all times optimizing the O-D vector for thecustomer. For example, vehicle A which may have been recommended, andsubsequently confirmed an express carwash that offers zero additionalwait time in the DTL is directed by a traffic management system to theappropriate type of carwash, for example an express carwash, and forexample specifically a TCW given the properties of speed of a tunnelcarwash. In another example, while at all times the aim is to optimizethe O-D vector, the method provides for a balanced option which in someinstances speeds up food preparations, or the order of food orders,together with a less speedy carwash option, for example by directing avehicle to a slower IBA1 or IBA2 instead of the faster tunnel TCW inorder to ensure that the food items are properly prepared to meet theoverarching health and safety standards within the aim to ensure thatall vehicles, with or without a carwash travel the O-D vector at thesame time. In another example the method also provides for the trafficmanagement system to adjust the speed of the individual carwashapparatuses, or control the traffic speed in the DTLs 1-4 by way ofgates and traffic signals, or the speed of the conveyor on which thevehicles may be transported, or for example select faster or sloweractivating carwash solutions to maximize the customers' overallexperience in the O-D vector.

FIG. 25 illustrates another example implementation of system 100 (FIG. 1) in the form of a facility 2500 that is substantially the same asfacility 2400 but with the addition of an automatic vehicle carwashdiagnostic (AVCD) system 2502 configured to perform a rapid diagnostictest and provide a recommendation for one or more CW services accordingto the results of the diagnostic analysis. In the illustrated example,after vehicle D crosses the entrance line ENT of the QSR, it immediatelyenters a diagnostic tunnel of system 2502. As the car moves through thediagnostic tunnel the state of cleanliness of the outside of the car isscanned and determined. In one example, the cleanliness of the car isdetermined with one or more cameras operably connected to a computingdevice, e.g., the server device 118 (FIG. 1 ), that are configured toexecute a machine vision algorithm with instructions for determining acleanliness of a vehicle. In one example, the machine vision algorithmmay employ one or more of a periodic pattern detection filter, edgedetection, and noise filtering to detect and segment out dirt areas onthe vehicle. The extent of dirt areas can be used in conjunction withother variables, such as the customer's food order, to recommend one ormore car washing options to provide a carwash menu optionrecommendation.

FIGS. 26A and 26B illustrate one example implementation of an automaticvehicle carwash diagnostic (AVCD) system 2502. Carwash diagnostics takeplace when the vehicle 2602 is moving and/or stationary. In one example,vehicle 2602 drives into a diagnostic tunnel 2604 and stops. Adiagnostic scanner (DS) 2606 subsequently moves around the vehicle 2602to determine the state of cleanliness of the outside of the vehicle. Thediagnostic tunnel 2604 may also or alternately include one or morestationary sensors 2608, which may include cameras configured to captureimages of the vehicle for image processing and the tunnel may alsoinclude one or more displays 2609 for displaying the status and resultsof a diagnostic analysis. Sensors 2608 may also include capacitive andacoustic sensors, for identifying dirt areas. In other examples, one ormore of sensors 2608 and/or scanner 2606 may be located within a carwashsystem and/or may be located outside, for example adjacent or proximatea POS 106 or ordering window.

In one example sensors 2608 include a plurality of sensors lininginterior walls 2610 of tunnel 2604, which may include sensors located ina ceiling and/or floor of the tunnel and positioned in a plurality oflocations for evaluating the outer surface of a vehicle 2602 from top tobottom and from all angles. In some examples, AVCD 2502 may also includea sample collection system 2612, for example as part of the movingdiagnostic scanner 2606 for collecting samples of material on an outersurface of a car, such as dirt, grime and debris including one or moreof solid, liquid, or gaseous samples. The collection system 2612 mayinclude one or more of a vacuum or collection wipe.

In some examples diagnostic analyses performed by AVCD 2502 include oneor more of ultraviolet, infrared or visible light spectrometry, neutronactivation analysis, mass spectrophotometry, and/or X-ray spectroscopy,which may be automatically compared against a database (e.g., database126) of known spectra to determine the type of debris on the vehicle,gas or other types of chromatography and atomic absorptionspectrophotometry. Sensors 2608 and/or scanner 2606 may further includeone or more optical devices, e.g., a laser measurement device, fordetermining a thickness and composition of an existing wax coating on asurface of the vehicle. Diagnostics may also include analysis of anunderside of each vehicle to detect excess oil and extent of debris anddirt as well as a tire analysis which may include contact andnon-contact sensors for determining a flexibility of the rubber andtread life remaining. In some examples, diagnostics may also includemolecular analyses and sensors 2608 and/or scanner 2606 may includescanning electron microscopes with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopyto allow the identification of very small amounts of particles of dirtand debris and the subsequent analysis of the composition of individualparticles with high accuracy.

Sensors 2608 and/or scanner 2606 may include a spectrometer configuredto determine the composition of dirt and debris based on photon energyand the activity based on photon flux. In one example, the spectrometeris configured to detect and analyze radio nuclides from various types ofenvironmental debris such as dust from rocks, minerals, sludge, slag,soil, plant, sediment and particulate matter found in, e.g., waterdroplets on the vehicle.

The results from the diagnostics analyses may be transmitted to othercomponents of the system, e.g., system 100, including one or more ofserver device 118, carwash system 104 and POS 106 for determining alevel of cleanliness of the exterior of the vehicle and identify anddisplay recommended CW services according to the level of cleanliness.Carwash system 104 may also be configured to control a cleaning processaccording to the results of the analysis, for example, directingcleaning agents and water to areas of the car in greater need ofcleaning. In some examples a user may be provided in an option for arapid spot treatment rather than a full wash to obtain a carwash ofshort duration that cleans the areas in greatest need of cleaning priorto picking up the customer's food order.

FIG. 27 illustrates an example GUI 2700 that may be displayed on display2609 of AVCD 2502 for communicating the progress of a diagnosticanalysis being performed by the AVCD and also illustrates exampleparameters D1-D20 that the AVCD may be determined to search for andanalyze. In the illustrated example, the example parameters includebaseline parameters 2702 such as make and model of vehicle and customerpreferences. For example, particular carwash treatments may berecommended for certain makes and models according to material types andknown issues such as known areas underneath the vehicle that are proneto collecting debris or rusting. In one example, sensors 2608 and/orscanner 2606 may include cameras and image processors determined toidentify make and model from any identifying characteristics, such asVIN number, registration sticker, make logo, model name, etc. Parametersmay also include cleanliness parameters 2704, structural parameters2706, protective layer parameters 2708, and weather and travelparameters 2710. In some examples, drivers may be prompted, e.g. viadisplay 2609 or a GUI displayed on user interface 114 user device 112,to add additional information to their custom carwash. For example, thedriver may communicate that the vehicle may soon be driving a longdistance through a desert, or a snowy mountain pass. The diagnosticsstatus GUI 2700 may include indicators 2712 and 2714 for indicating theparameters being analyzed and when each parameter analysis is complete.

FIG. 28 illustrates an example GUI 2800 that may be displayed on display2609 of AVCD 2502 and/or a POS station, e.g. displayed on user interface108 of POS 106 that displays, according to the results of the diagnosticanalysis performed by the AVCD, recommended carwash treatment options2802 and an urgency level 2804 of each recommendation. The AVCD may alsobe configured to take customer preferences and the duration since thelast carwash if such customer information is available, e.g., incustomer data 138 of database 126. The AVCD may also be configured totake into account the time of year, and immediate weather forecast, todetermine a best carwash treatment plan. Treatment recommendations maybe based on a variation of the amount, length of time and sequence ofthe existing chemical solutions and carwash apparatuses, or a custom cartreatment plan is recommended from a plurality of options for eachparticular carwash application. For example, input data suggestingwintery conditions may add a recommendation for preventive rustprotector for the under-carriage, or an additional UV treatment in thewax coating may be recommended for sunny days, and a special hydrophobicrinse could be suggested for imminent inclement rainy weather. Inanother example, for a very dusty vehicle that is covered with thicklayers of road debris, recommendations displayed on GUI 2800 may includea recommendation for a specifically designed treatment to addresses roaddebris that may include a custom-timed, extended pre-wash rinse to firstremove the thick layers of debris. In another example, in response todetection of a grimy film on a vehicle, recommendations displayed on GUI2800 may include an a la carte treatment available from a plurality ofsoap options T4 where, for example, a special de-greasing chemicalsolution is recommended to address the particular type of grime on thevehicle.

In the illustrated example, next to each of the recommendations 2802, anurgency level 2804 indicating the urgency of the treatment is displayedto the customer. For example, a diagnosis of an existing wax coating ofthe vehicle may conclude that the vehicle still has a reasonablysufficient wax coating. Here T6 would recommend a very light wax coatingand the light R2/T6 (denoting ‘optional treatment’) would turn green,while the adjacent lights remain unlit. In another example, an analysisof the undercoating may show that no treatment is required at all; inthis case light R1/T3 will turn green suggesting that the customer canwait until next time. The recommendations 2802 may take into account thetime interval, or average time interval, when vehicles were last washedto help ensure that a very custom-wash package is presented to give thebest care to the vehicle. In one example, GUI 2800 is presented to acustomer when the customer pulls up to the POS or ordering window, thecarwash recommendations intended to aid and encourage the driver toorder a recommended wash package or add the carwash package to a QSRorder.

The customer may accept the recommendation by hitting a confirm button2806, or can select button 2808 if the customer would prefer to make hisown selections. After completing the order, a traffic management systemand carwash system may direct the vehicle to the proper type of carwashand the carwash apparatus preps, washes, waxes and dries according tothe car diagnosis, measuring, and customer selection, for example,custom amounts and compositions of pre-wash and soap solutions thatoptimize the carwash for the particular condition of one specificvehicle, at a specific moment in time and place.

Embodiments of the present disclosure introduce systems and methods thatmay be used to increase profitability for a QSR establishment by way ofan additional revenue stream, as well as increase customer satisfactionby way of offering carwash services or by increase sales volume of QSRmenu items by adding a reduced price or free CW service. The examplesdisclosed herein include example implementations for configuring aQSR+CW facility and for optimizing traffic at the facility. Any piece,portion, element, system or aspect of any example disclosed herein maybe combined with any piece, portion, element, system or aspect of anyother example.

Any one or more of the aspects and embodiments described herein may beconveniently implemented using one or more machines (e.g., one or morecomputing devices that are utilized as a user computing device for anelectronic document, one or more server devices, such as a documentserver, etc.) programmed according to the teachings of the presentspecification, as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in thecomputer art. Appropriate software coding can readily be prepared byskilled programmers based on the teachings of the present disclosure, aswill be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the software art. Aspectsand implementations discussed above employing software and/or softwaremodules may also include appropriate hardware for assisting in theimplementation of the machine executable instructions of the softwareand/or software module.

Such software may be a computer program product that employs amachine-readable storage medium. A machine-readable storage medium maybe any medium that is capable of storing and/or encoding a sequence ofinstructions for execution by a machine (e.g., a computing device) andthat causes the machine to perform any one of the methodologies and/orembodiments described herein. Examples of a machine-readable storagemedium include, but are not limited to, a magnetic disk, an optical disc(e.g., CD, CD-R, DVD, DVD-R, etc.), a magneto-optical disk, a read-onlymemory “ROM” device, a random access memory “RAM” device, a magneticcard, an optical card, a solid-state memory device, an EPROM, an EEPROM,and any combinations thereof. A machine-readable medium, as used herein,is intended to include a single medium as well as a collection ofphysically separate media, such as, for example, a collection of compactdiscs or one or more hard disk drives in combination with a computermemory. As used herein, a machine-readable storage medium does notinclude transitory forms of signal transmission.

Such software may also include information (e.g., data) carried as adata signal on a data carrier, such as a carrier wave. For example,machine-executable information may be included as a data-carrying signalembodied in a data carrier in which the signal encodes a sequence ofinstruction, or portion thereof, for execution by a machine (e.g., acomputing device) and any related information (e.g., data structures anddata) that causes the machine to perform any one of the methodologiesand/or embodiments described herein.

Examples of a computing device include, but are not limited to, anelectronic book reading device, a computer workstation, a terminalcomputer, a server computer, a handheld device (e.g., a tablet computer,a smartphone, etc.), a web appliance, a network router, a networkswitch, a network bridge, any machine capable of executing a sequence ofinstructions that specify an action to be taken by that machine, and anycombinations thereof. In one example, a computing device may includeand/or be included in a kiosk.

FIG. 29 shows a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of acomputing device in the exemplary form of a computer system 2900 withinwhich a set of instructions for causing a control system, such as system100 of FIG. 1 , to perform any one or more of the aspects and/ormethodologies of the present disclosure may be executed. It is alsocontemplated that multiple computing devices may be utilized toimplement a specially configured set of instructions for causing one ormore of the devices to perform any one or more of the aspects and/ormethodologies of the present disclosure. Computer system 2900 includes aprocessor 2904 and a memory 2908 that communicate with each other, andwith other components, via a bus 2912. Bus 2912 may include any ofseveral types of bus structures including, but not limited to, a memorybus, a memory controller, a peripheral bus, a local bus, and anycombinations thereof, using any of a variety of bus architectures.

Memory 2908 may include various components (e.g., machine-readablemedia) including, but not limited to, a random access memory component,a read only component, and any combinations thereof. In one example, abasic input/output system 2916 (BIOS), including basic routines thathelp to transfer information between elements within computer system2900, such as during start-up, may be stored in memory 2908. Memory 2908may also include (e.g., stored on one or more machine-readable media)instructions (e.g., software) 2920 embodying any one or more of theaspects and/or methodologies of the present disclosure. In anotherexample, memory 2908 may further include any number of program modulesincluding, but not limited to, an operating system, one or moreapplication programs, other program modules, program data, and anycombinations thereof.

Computer system 2900 may also include a storage device 2924. Examples ofa storage device (e.g., storage device 2924) include, but are notlimited to, a hard disk drive, a magnetic disk drive, an optical discdrive in combination with an optical medium, a solid-state memorydevice, and any combinations thereof. Storage device 2924 may beconnected to bus 2912 by an appropriate interface (not shown). Exampleinterfaces include, but are not limited to, SCSI, advanced technologyattachment (ATA), serial ATA, universal serial bus (USB), IEEE 1394(FIREWIRE), and any combinations thereof. In one example, storage device2924 (or one or more components thereof) may be removably interfacedwith computer system 2900 (e.g., via an external port connector (notshown)). Particularly, storage device 2924 and an associatedmachine-readable medium 2928 may provide nonvolatile and/or volatilestorage of machine-readable instructions, data structures, programmodules, and/or other data for computer system 2900. In one example,software 2920 may reside, completely or partially, withinmachine-readable medium 2928. In another example, software 2920 mayreside, completely or partially, within processor 2904.

Computer system 2900 may also include an input device 2932. In oneexample, a user of computer system 2900 may enter commands and/or otherinformation into computer system 2900 via input device 2932. Examples ofan input device 2932 include, but are not limited to, an alpha-numericinput device (e.g., a keyboard), a pointing device, a joystick, agamepad, an audio input device (e.g., a microphone, a voice responsesystem, etc.), a cursor control device (e.g., a mouse), a touchpad, anoptical scanner, a video capture device (e.g., a still camera, a videocamera), a touchscreen, and any combinations thereof. Input device 2932may be interfaced to bus 2912 via any of a variety of interfaces (notshown) including, but not limited to, a serial interface, a parallelinterface, a game port, a USB interface, a FIREWIRE interface, a directinterface to bus 2912, and any combinations thereof. Input device 2932may include a touch screen interface that may be a part of or separatefrom display 2936, discussed further below. Input device 2932 may beutilized as a user selection device for selecting one or more graphicalrepresentations in a graphical interface as described above.

A user may also input commands and/or other information to computersystem 2900 via storage device 2924 (e.g., a removable disk drive, aflash drive, etc.) and/or network interface device 2940. A networkinterface device, such as network interface device 2940, may be utilizedfor connecting computer system 2900 to one or more of a variety ofnetworks, such as network 2944, and one or more remote devices 2948connected thereto. Examples of a network interface device include, butare not limited to, a network interface card (e.g., a mobile networkinterface card, a LAN card), a modem, and any combination thereof.Examples of a network include, but are not limited to, a wide areanetwork (e.g., the Internet, an enterprise network), a local areanetwork (e.g., a network associated with an office, a building, a campusor other relatively small geographic space), a telephone network, a datanetwork associated with a telephone/voice provider (e.g., a mobilecommunications provider data and/or voice network), a direct connectionbetween two computing devices, and any combinations thereof. A network,such as network 2944, may employ a wired and/or a wireless mode ofcommunication. In general, any network topology may be used. Information(e.g., data, software 2920, etc.) may be communicated to and/or fromcomputer system 2900 via network interface device 2940.

Computer system 2900 may further include a video display adapter 2952for communicating a displayable image to a display device, such asdisplay device 2936. Examples of a display device include, but are notlimited to, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a cathode ray tube (CRT), aplasma display, a light emitting diode (LED) display, and anycombinations thereof. Display adapter 2952 and display device 2936 maybe utilized in combination with processor 2904 to provide graphicalrepresentations of aspects of the present disclosure. In addition to adisplay device, computer system 2900 may include one or more otherperipheral output devices including, but not limited to, an audiospeaker, a printer, and any combinations thereof. Such peripheral outputdevices may be connected to bus 2912 via a peripheral interface 2956.Examples of a peripheral interface include, but are not limited to, aserial port, a USB connection, a FIREWIRE connection, a parallelconnection, and any combinations thereof.

Various modifications and additions can be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of this disclosure. Features of each of the variousembodiments described above may be combined with features of otherdescribed embodiments as appropriate in order to provide a multiplicityof feature combinations in associated new embodiments. Furthermore,while the foregoing describes a number of separate embodiments, what hasbeen described herein is merely illustrative of the application of theprinciples of the present disclosure. Additionally, although particularmethods herein may be illustrated and/or described as being performed ina specific order, the ordering is highly variable within ordinary skillto achieve aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, thisdescription is meant to be taken only by way of example, and not tootherwise limit the scope of this disclosure.

The foregoing has been a detailed description of illustrativeembodiments of the disclosure. It is noted that in the presentspecification and claims appended hereto, conjunctive language such asis used in the phrases “at least one of X, Y and Z” and “one or more ofX, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated or indicated otherwise, shallbe taken to mean that each item in the conjunctive list can be presentin any number exclusive of every other item in the list or in any numberin combination with any or all other item(s) in the conjunctive list,each of which may also be present in any number. Applying this generalrule, the conjunctive phrases in the foregoing examples in which theconjunctive list consists of X, Y, and Z shall each encompass: one ormore of X; one or more of Y; one or more of Z; one or more of X and oneor more of Y; one or more of Y and one or more of Z; one or more of Xand one or more of Z; and one or more of X, one or more of Y and one ormore of Z.

What is claimed is:
 1. A quick service restaurant (QSR), comprising: abuilding, a point of sale (POS) apparatus, a pickup window, and a drivethrough for routing customer vehicles from the POS apparatus to thepickup window; and a carwash system that includes at least one automaticcarwash apparatus; wherein the drive through includes an optionalcarwash portion that routes at least a portion of the customer vehiclesto the automatic carwash apparatus to provide an optional carwashservice to the customer vehicles while the customer vehicles are in thedrive through and en route to the pickup window; wherein the POSapparatus includes a graphical user interface (GUI) that displays aplurality of QSR menu items, a plurality of carwash menu items, and atleast one time prediction display portion, wherein the at least one timeprediction display portion displays a predicted change to a drivethrough wait time due to an addition of one of the carwash menu items toa selection of one or more of the QSR menu items.